I Am the Walrus

"I Am the Walrus" is a song that appears in Magical Mystery Tour. It was written by John Lennon, but was credited as Lennon/McCartney. It was recorded on Septemeber 5, 1967.

Previous Ideas
"I Am the Walrus" is a combination of three different song ideas Lennon was working with at the time as well as several bits of nonsense words.

The first idea came from a police siren he heard. The lines "Mister city policeman" was written to the rhythm of the siren so that it sounded like "Mis-ter cit-y police-man."

The second idea was about sitting in his garden. "Sitting in an English garden waiting for the sun" are lyrics that can be heard in "I Am the Walrus."

The third idea was the nonsense line about "sitting on a cornflake."

Other
Lennon has stated that the first two lines came from two separate acid trips.

"Elementary penguin" refers to those who would put all their faith into one idol.

Peter Shotton, a former member of The Quarrymen, a band Lennon was previously a member of, suggested changing "wating for the man to come" to "waiting for the van to come."

By the end of the song, spoken words are heard. These words are a part of a reading of Shakespeare's King Lear, specifically Act IV, Scene VI.

Meaning
Lennon wrote this song in response to those who try to interpret songs.

One example involves a letter Lennon had received from a pupil at his old high school, Quarry Bank High School. He had stated in the letter that the English master had his students analysing Beatles' lyrics. Several lyrics were added to the song in response, of which were inspired by a nursery ryhme Lennon had sang when he was young:
 * "Yellow matter custard, green slop pie,
 * All mixed together with a dead dog's eye,
 * Slap it on a butty (sandwhich), ten foot thick,
 * Then wash it all down with a cup of cold sick"

"Yellow matter custard" and "dead dog's eye" were taken from the nursery rythme and were merged with the three unused song ideas previously mentioned to form the finish song.

Interpretation
Despite it's meaning, people still tried to find meaning within the lyrics

The Walrus
In the movie Magical Mystery Tour, Lennon's character had stated that he was the walrus.

At the time, the urban legend that Paul McCartney was dead was also being interpreted. So, McCartney is also believed to be the walrus because the walrus is symbolized as death, at least among the fringe group that believes this legend. There has been no solid evidence in any ancient mythology that the walrus symbolizes death. Also, in "Glass Onion," John sings "now here's another clue for you all: the walrus was Paul"

The Eggman
Eric Burdon, lead singer of The Animals, is beleived to be the eggman because of his nickname "Eggs." Burdon has mentioned in his book that Lennon had referred to him as the eggman: "Go on, go get it, Eggman..."

Across the Universe
In the movie, Dr. Robert (named after the song of the same name) sings "I Am the Walrus."